Profesores Asociados Egresados del Instituto de

Enseñanza Superior en Lenguas Vivas “Juan Ramón Fernández”

LEVEL PREADOL 4 PAPER 1 / 18

Nombre: _____________________________________________________________________

1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions

Tommy wanted a skateboard. He looked at one every day on his way home from school, admiring
it through the window of the skate shop on Market Street. It was a longboard-a serious
skateboard, not meant for tricks or speed, but for long rides down hills, on busy roads, or all the
way across town. This was a skateboard that could change Tommy's life forever. His parents
wouldn’t have to pick him up after school, or at the movies or the mall. The longboard would take
him home.
It was ocean blue, with chrome wheels and an elaborate drawing of a rocket ship on the
underside. Each time he pressed his face against the glass of the skate shop, he felt himself fall
into that picture, and his dreams of riding the longboard became mixed up with dreams of interstellar
travel. He wasn't just going to the mall. He was going to Mars, to Alpha Centauri, to anywhere in the galaxy
he felt like. He was going to conquer the stars.
That if his dad weren't so mean with money. There's something about fathers that makes it impossible for
them to understand skateboards.
"Dad," Tommy said. "It's the world's finest skateboard. It could change my life forever."
"That's great," said Dad. "I'm all for kids having hobbies. But that's an expensive little toy, and -"
"It's not a toy!" Tommy felt angry. "It's a whole new way of life.”

1. How often did Tommy look at the skateboard?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What did Tommy dream of when he looked at the rocket on the skateboard?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What did Tommy’ father think about the skateboard?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Tommy felt the skateboard could change his life. TRUE FALSE
5. Tommy thought the skateboard was the finest toy in the world. TRUE FALSE

2. Go on reading Tommy’s conversation with his father. Complete the dialogue with words from the box. Be
careful! There’s an extra word.

EVER YET THAN WHEN FOR MORE MOST

BECAUSE LIKE TO NEITHER

“But Dad, you don’t understand! I’ve wanted a skateboard ____________________ many years! When you
were my age, what was the thing you wanted more ____________________ anything else? The thing you
dreamed about?
"A Vincent Black Shadow-the world's finest motorcycle. The ____________________
beautiful motorcycle that has ____________________ been made."
"So yeah, this board is ____________________ the Vincent Black Shadow for the 21st
Century. So you see why I have ____________________ have it."
"You know what my dad told me ____________________ I asked for a Black Shadow?"
"What?"
"Nothing. I didn't ask him, ____________________ I knew what he would think. ____________________
my father nor my mother could spend money on that. So I went out, got a job, and started saving. Have
you saved any money?”
"Man," said Tommy. "I was afraid you'd say something like that. You know I haven’t got any money
____________________. Dads are the worst, aren't they?"
1
 Profesores Asociados Egresados del Instituto de
Enseñanza Superior en Lenguas Vivas “Juan Ramón Fernández”
LEVEL PREADOL 4 PAPER 1 / 18

3. Go on reading about Tommy and choose the right verb.

Tommy walked up and down Market Street. He IS LOOKING / WAS LOOKING for someplace to work. The
pizzeria wasn't hiring. The coffee shop said he WAS / IS too young. The comic book store said he didn’t have
enough experience.
"But how DID I GET / CAN I GET experience if nobody GAVE / WILL GIVE me a job?!" Tommy asked. The
comic book clerk didn't answer. Tommy just said thank you, and LEAVES / LEFT.
Tommy thought, “I HAVE ALREADY ASKED / I AM ALREADY ASKING in practically all the stores! There WAS /
IS only one more I can go to. The candy store. I AM TRYING / AM GOING TO TRY there. Mr Orson, the owner,
COULD GIVE / USED TO GIVE me free candies when I was a little boy. I’m sure he WILL HELP / HELPS me. ”
Tommy walked to the candy store and went in.

4. Now read about Sarah and complete with ONE word from the box. Be careful! There’s an extra word.

SOMEBODY ACCEPT HELP OPPORTUNITY FOND LOOKING

WORRIED HERSELF HIMSELF SMILE NEEDED

When Tommy entered the candy store, Mr Orson greeted him with a big
____________________. He offered Tommy some chocolate, but Tommy is not really
____________________ of chocolate so he didn’t ____________________ it. Mr Orson
wanted to know what Tommy was ____________________ for: a special candy, some
bubble gum? Tommy didn’t know how to explain ____________________. It was
difficult to tell ____________________ you didn’t know very well that your parents
didn’t want to ____________________ you with money and you ____________________ to find a job to buy
something that would change your life. Tommy was ____________________ about Mr Orson’s reaction.
Would he understand that this was his only ____________________ to buy the skateboard of his dreams?!?!

5. Dialogue
Ted is talking to a reporter. Complete their conversation with the bubbles. Be careful! There’s an extra bubble.

Can’t your parents help you Have you ever worked in a shop What can I do for you

How are you feeling now Why do you need to get a job Did you tell them

Mr Orson: ____________________________________________________________________ , Tommy?

Tommy: Mmmm ... Actually, I’m looking for a job.
Mr Orson: Really? _____________________________________________________________________?
Tommy: Well, there is this skateboard I want but I don’t have the money to buy it.
Mr Orson: ___________________________________________________________________________?
Tommy: Not really. They think it’s just an expensive toy, so they won’t help me.
Mr Orson: Ok, but _________________________________________________ that you were coming here?
Tommy: Oh, yes. In fact Dad said it was a good idea.

Mr Orson: OK, then. ____________________________________________________________________________?

Tommy: No, but I can learn very quickly. I’m a good learner!!!

6. Composition - Choose ONE of the following:

♣ The worst day in my life OR ♣ I’ve always dreamt of … (complete)